Trump congratulates Putin, saying he will meet him 'in the not too distant future' – video

Donald Trump defended himself against criticism over his congratulatory phone call to Vladimir Putin following the Russian president’s recent re-election, insisting on Wednesday afternoon it was in US interests to maintain a positive rapport with Moscow.

Trump addressed the call in a series of tweets, hours after it was reported that he defied a specific warning from his national security team not to congratulate Putin on his securing of a fourth term in power.

“I called President Putin of Russia to congratulate him on his election victory (in past, Obama called him also),” Trump said. “The Fake News Media is crazed because they wanted me to excoriate him. They are wrong! Getting along with Russia (and others) is a good thing, not a bad thing.......”

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)

I called President Putin of Russia to congratulate him on his election victory (in past, Obama called him also). The Fake News Media is crazed because they wanted me to excoriate him. They are wrong! Getting along with Russia (and others) is a good thing, not a bad thing.......

He added: “They can help solve problems with North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, ISIS, Iran and even the coming Arms Race. Bush tried to get along, but didn’t have the “smarts.” Obama and Clinton tried, but didn’t have the energy or chemistry (remember RESET). PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!”

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)

.....They can help solve problems with North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, ISIS, Iran and even the coming Arms Race. Bush tried to get along, but didn’t have the “smarts.” Obama and Clinton tried, but didn’t have the energy or chemistry (remember RESET). PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!

Trump’s comments came amid widespread backlash over the call, which reinforced the perception that his administration has adopted a less aggressive posture toward Russia.

On Wednesday, the Washington Post reported that Trump’s national security advisers had presented him with written briefing materials in capitals saying “DO NOT CONGRATULATE”, the paper said citing officials.

It was not clear if Trump, who prefers to hear briefings, read the notes, sources said.

Barack Obama did call Putin and congratulated him when Putin was re-elected in 2012, according to a report of an official readout at the time. But the state department expressed concerns over the legitimacy of the Russian elections at the time.

Trump’s conversation with Putin also drew scrutiny for occurring amid escalating tension and fear over Russian meddling in the US electoral process, which the two leaders failed to discuss. There was also no mention of the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, the former double agent targeted with a nerve agent in the UK.

Trump confirmed on Tuesday he had called Putin to “congratulate him on his electoral victory”, and the two would “probably get together in the not too distant future so that we can discuss the arms race”.

The Arizona Republican senator John McCain said Trump had “insulted every Russian citizen who was denied the right to vote in a free and fair election”.

On Wednesday, John Brennan, ex-CIA , backed McCain and described Trump as a “cornered animal”, telling MSNBC: “I think the president has shown a lack of understanding of international affairs as well as a real ignorance of what it takes to be president.”

“Special Council is told to find crimes, whether a crime exists or not. I was opposed to the selection of Mueller to be Special Council. I am still opposed to it. I think President Trump was right when he said there never should have been a Special Council appointed because.....

Brennan, asked on MSNBC if he thought the Russians had something on Trump, called him “fawning” and said: “The Russians have had long experience with Mr Trump and they may have things that they could expose.”

Trump has denied any collusion or any wrongdoing in his links with Russia.